Flow-through centrifuge and method for implementing ready-to-operate state of flow-through centrifuge

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow-through centrifuge (1), for example for biotechnological applications, in particular as a blood centrifuge (2). A drive and / or transmission arrangement (19) of a flow-through centrifuge (1) has a planetary gear (62). In the planetary gear (62), at least one planetary pulley (34; 36) is rotatably mounted on the rotating planet carrier (18). The planetary pulley (34; 36) is driven by the belt (33; 37). The planet carrier (18) and the planet pulley (34; 36) are driven at different rotational speeds. According to the invention, the planet carrier (18) is held by a belt tensioning unit (17) which rotates together with the planet carrier (18). The distance (42) of the planet carrier (18) from the rotor axis (4) can be varied by means of the belt tensioning unit (17) in order to adjust the rotation of the belt (33; 37).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a flow-through centrifuge in which at least one medium is supplied to a centrifuge chamber and / or removed from the centrifuge chamber during its rotation. The at least one medium is in particular a medium to be centrifuged, a flushing liquid, a washing or buffer solution, a modified medium extracted from the centrifuge medium and / or a precipitate in the centrifuge chamber.

[0002] To name a few examples that are not limiting of the present invention, the flow-through centrifuge may be a blood centrifuge, wherein the medium to be centrifuged is blood, and the modified medium or precipitate extracted is blood cells or blood particles; or a flow-through centrifuge, through which cells, microcarriers or other particles contained in the medium can be obtained from the medium. It is also possible that the medium after centrifugation is not a pure liquid, but a solution or suspension containing particles such as cells, cell fragments or cell microparticles.

[0003] For example, flow-through centrifuges can be used in biopharmaceutical companies for the production of biopharmaceutical products or in bioprocessing applications. For example, flow-through centrifuges can be used to obtain and / or clarify cells or microcarriers, and the cells obtained in this way can also be used in cell therapy. Another application area of ​​flow-through centrifuges is the production of vaccines, etc. Background Art

[0004] For example, Sartorius AG (address: Otto-Brenner-Straße 20, 37079 Göttingen, Germany) and related companies sell the same type of flow-through centrifuges under the trademark "Ksep" (registered trademark). On the website www.sartorius.com / en / products / process-filtrati0N / cell-harvesting / ksep-systems related to these flow-through centrifuges (check date: July 6, 2022), the functional principle of the flow-through centrifuge (which can also be used in the present invention) is described as follows according to the linked video:

[0005] The rotor of the flow-through centrifuge has four centrifugal chambers, which can be designed as blood bags held on the rotor body and evenly distributed on the circumference. These centrifugal chambers are at equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the rotor. The first connecting line leads to the centrifugal chamber in the radial interior, while the second connecting line leads to the centrifugal chamber in the radial exterior. In the first operating phase, the first medium (e.g., blood) is supplied to the centrifugal chamber through the second connecting line, and the centrifugal chamber rotates with the rotor. In the centrifugal chamber, particles (e.g., blood cells) contained in the blood are deposited radially outside due to centrifugal action, while the residual medium (i.e., the medium supplied radially outside with reduced particles squeezed radially outward) is discharged from the centrifugal chamber radially inside through the first connecting line. Therefore, in the first operating phase, the first connecting line is the discharge line, and the second connecting line is the supply line. As the operation continues, the proportion of particles in the centrifugal chamber and their concentration continue to increase until the centrifugal chamber is mostly and eventually completely filled with particles. In the optional second operating phase that follows, the particles in the centrifugal chamber are washed. For this purpose, a washing or buffer solution enters the centrifugal chamber through the second connecting line. The washing or buffer solution rinses the centrifugal chamber and is discharged radially inwardly through the first connecting pipe. In this operating phase, the centrifugal chamber also rotates with the rotor to prevent the particles from flowing out of the centrifugal chamber through the first connecting pipe together with the washing or buffer solution under the action of centrifugal force. During the second operating phase, the first connecting pipe also serves as a discharge pipe for the washing or buffer solution, while the first connecting pipe serves as a supply pipe for the washing or buffer solution. In the subsequent third operating phase, the centrifugal chamber continues to twist with the rotor. In the third operating phase, the flow direction through the centrifugal chamber is opposite, the particles are removed from the centrifugal chamber through the second connecting pipe, and the washing or buffer solution can be replenished into the centrifugal chamber through the first connecting pipe. When all particles have been removed from the centrifugal chamber, the third operating phase ends. Subsequently, the above three operating phases can be circulated continuously.

[0006] EP3936601A1 describes such a flow-through centrifuge. EP3936601A1 discloses a media network, which is connected to the connecting pipeline and ensures different operating phases. Regarding the media network, the pump device, process control unit, additional filter device, receiving container for different media and process flow contained therein, reference can also be made to EP3936601A1, EP2310486B1 and EP2485846B1.

[0007] EP2485846B1 points out that in a flow-through centrifuge, the fluid connection of a connection line rotating with the rotor via a rotating guide is problematic, because the rotating guide is prone to leakage and carries the risk of accidental contamination of the medium. On the other hand, according to US Pat. Nos. 4,216,770, 4,419,089, 4,389,206 and 5,665,048, a connection bundle is used, into which the connection line can be integrated. One end region of the connection bundle is fixed to the housing, and the other end region is connected to the rotor and rotates with the rotor.

[0008] In order to prevent the torsion of the rotor and the relative torsion of the end regions of the connecting bundle from causing an increase in the distortion of the connecting bundle, the connecting bundle is additionally guided in a guiding device in the form of a guide tube. The guide tube has a partial section, which is in the shape of a rounded U-shape, whose side legs are of different lengths and slightly separated. The opening of the U-shape points in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor. Starting from the end region fixed to the housing, the connecting bundle bends outward and enters the side legs of the U-shape. In the partial section of the U-shape, the connecting bundle surrounds the rotor under the guidance of the guide tube. The free end region of the other side leg of the U-shape of the guide tube is bent backward so that it is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotor and directly adjacent to the position where the connecting bundle enters the rotor. The guide tube is then driven at half the speed of the rotor. EP2485846B1 refers to US3,586,413, explaining how to avoid increasing the distortion of the connecting bundle by using a rotating guide tube. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a flow-through centrifuge in which the drive and / or transmission assembly is improved in particular with respect to:

[0010] - Assembly and / or

[0011] - Operational safety and / or

[0012] - Ensuring predetermined operating conditions. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method which simplifies the achievement of an operational readiness of a flow-through centrifuge and / or improves the ensuring of operational safety and / or predetermined operating conditions.

[0013] According to the invention, the object of the invention is achieved by the features of the independent patent claims. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be derived from the dependent patent claims.

[0014] The invention relates to a flow-through centrifuge having a drive and / or transmission assembly, by means of which it is ensured that the rotor is driven at a first rotational speed on the one hand and that the compensating rotor, the planet carrier and / or the guide tube are driven at a second rotational speed, which is twice the first rotational speed, at which the rotor is driven, on the other hand.

[0015] A planetary transmission is used in a drive- and / or transmission assembly. In a planetary transmission, at least one planetary pulley is rotatably mounted on a planet carrier. Torque is transmitted to or from the planetary pulley by a belt, in particular a toothed belt. According to the prior art EP2485846B1, the gears directly mesh with each other in the transmission assembly. In contrast, it is more advantageous to use a toothed belt to transmit torque in a planetary transmission because the use of a belt can especially improve the smooth operation of the rotor, which in turn helps to avoid the bad mixing of the medium to be centrifuged, and / or the use of a belt can expand the possibility of designing the installation space. In addition, the use of a belt drive can save the necessity of oil lubrication and prevent loss, wear or residue, thereby at least reducing undesirable contamination. In some cases, the flow-through centrifuge of the present invention can also utilize the fact that when driven by a belt, the direction of rotation of the driving pulley and the driven pulley is the same, while in the case of directly meshing gears, the direction of rotation is reversed, so a third gear is required to maintain the direction of rotation.

[0016] Within the scope of the invention, the planet carrier and the planetary belt pulleys rotate at different speeds, wherein the planet carrier preferably rotates at a second speed about the rotor axis and the planetary belt pulleys preferably rotate at a first speed about the rotation axis predetermined by the planet carrier or its web or planet shaft at a second speed.

[0017] In principle, the belt can have a certain elasticity so that it can be forcibly wound around the planetary pulleys (and the associated driving pulleys or driven pulleys or sun pulleys), but this will lead to a fixed predetermined functional relationship between the assembly force, the elasticity of the belt, the contact pressure of the belt on the planetary pulleys and the oversizing of the lateral guide pulleys of the planetary pulleys. On the other hand, it is also possible to have a certain excess length of the belt and to predetermine the required belt tension by means of a spring-loaded belt tensioner. However, the studies on which the present invention is based have shown that the use of such a spring-loaded belt tensioner is disadvantageous because in a flow-through centrifuge, the spring-loaded belt tensioner must rotate at a second speed, which leads to a deflection of the belt tensioner that is dependent on the centrifugal force, which is speed-dependent and changes the belt tension in an undesirable manner.

[0018] Based on the above findings, the present invention proposes that in the flow-through centrifuge of the present invention, the planet carrier is held by a belt tensioning unit. The belt tensioning unit is designed so that the distance between the planet carrier and the rotor axis can be changed by means of the belt tensioning unit. The belt tensioning unit can hold the planet carrier on the compensating body of the compensating rotor, thereby changing the distance between the planet carrier and the rotor axis.

[0019] For example, the use of a belt tensioning unit according to the invention makes it possible to first place the belt on the planetary pulleys, with the planet carrier and the planetary pulleys at a first distance from the rotor axis. The first distance is selected to be small enough to allow placement with little force. After the belt is installed, the distance of the planet carrier and the planetary pulleys from the rotor axis can be changed to a second, larger distance, so that the desired belt tension is achieved, which can also be achieved by measuring the belt tension while changing the distance or by repeatedly measuring the belt tension and changing the distance. The belt tensioning unit can then be fixed so that the distance between the planet carrier and the rotor axis no longer changes. In this case, the fixing is carried out in such a way that the distance does not change either due to centrifugal forces generated during operation of the flow-through centrifuge.

[0020] The invention includes embodiments with only a belt, which is fastened to the associated planet carrier by a belt tensioning unit. It is also possible to use two planetary belt pulleys, each with an associated belt, in which case the planetary belt pulleys can be held on the associated planet carrier by an associated belt tensioning unit. For a special proposal of the invention, the flow-through centrifuge has two planetary belt pulleys, which are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, for example by a planet shaft. The two planetary belt pulleys connected to one another in this way form a double planet or a stepped planet, wherein the diameters of the two planetary belt pulleys are preferably the same. The planetary belt pulleys fixedly connected in this way are rotatably mounted on a common planet carrier. In this case, a common belt tensioning unit can be used to jointly change the distance between the two planetary belt pulleys.

[0021] Another suggestion of the present invention relates to a more specific embodiment of a flow-through centrifuge, a transmission assembly and / or a planetary transmission. For this solution, a rotor (which has a centrifugal chamber) is twisted around a rotor axis at a first speed for centrifugation. As explained at the beginning of this article, a medium is supplied to the rotor during centrifugation and / or a medium is discharged from the rotor during centrifugation. The flow-through centrifuge has a connecting bundle, which has at least one medium supply pipeline and at least one medium discharge pipeline. One end region of the connecting bundle is held on the housing of the flow-through centrifuge and is therefore fixed in position. In this end region, the connecting bundle can be loaded with medium by a pump or the like, or the medium can also be discharged in this end region. In the other end region, the connecting bundle is held on the rotor, so that the end region is used to couple the medium with the centrifugal chamber of the rotor. The two end regions rotate relative to each other at a first speed. The two end regions are arranged coaxially with the rotor axis of the rotor, wherein the connecting bundle is bent so that the two end regions point in the same direction, that is, the direction of entering the rotor. According to the invention, the flow-through centrifuge further comprises a bundle guide, which is in particular designed as a guide tube, as explained for the prior art cited at the beginning of this document. The bundle extends through the bundle guide. The bundle guide twists around the rotor axis at a second rotational speed. The bundle guide serves to guide the bundle (in longitudinal section) radially outwardly from a first side of the rotor through the rotor, wherein the bundle enters the rotor on a second side. In order to ensure that the bundle does not twist, the drive and / or transmission assembly is designed such that the first rotational speed of the rotor is twice the second rotational speed of the bundle guide.

[0022] In this case, the planetary transmission has a first sun pulley and a second sun pulley, which are arranged coaxially with the rotor axis and rotate around the rotor axis. The first planetary pulley and the second planetary pulley are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner. The first sun pulley is connected to the first planetary pulley by a first belt. Correspondingly, the second planetary pulley is connected to the second sun pulley by a second belt. The first sun pulley is driven at a first speed. The planet carrier (preferably held on a compensating body of the compensating rotor) is driven at a second speed. The second sun pulley drives the rotor (preferably directly). In this case, the planet carrier is rotated together with the connecting beam guide, wherein preferably the planet carrier, the connecting beam guide and the base body or roller body together form a compensating body, which is a rigid unit after the belt tensioning unit is fixed and forms the compensating rotor.

[0023] In order to be able to vary the distance from the rotor axis, the belt tensioning unit can have any desired adjustment and / or guide means. For example, the belt tensioning unit can have a guideway in which the position and distance of the planet carrier can be varied along any desired curved path, provided that the guideway has at least one component in the radial direction. In one embodiment, the flow-through centrifuge according to the invention has at least one linear guide, by which the planet carrier is guided relative to the connecting bundle guide. The linear guide can be oriented in a radial direction relative to the rotor axis or can also be inclined at an acute angle to the rotor axis, so that only one component of the linear guide is oriented in a radial direction relative to the rotor axis.

[0024] For the technical design of the linear guide, all possibilities disclosed in the prior art for linear guides are possible. A particularly simple solution is that the linear guide has a guide rod guided in a guide groove to provide a guiding effect. For example, the guide rod has a circular cross section and the guide groove has a circular guide eye, which can be provided by a guide hole. It is also possible to use a pair of guide rods and guide grooves in the linear guide, in which case the directions of the two guide rods and guide grooves are parallel to each other and a radial guiding direction is predetermined.

[0025] Just to give one example which does not limit the invention: the compensating body can carry the guide rod and the planet carrier can form the guide groove.

[0026] The belt tensioning unit can be positioned arbitrarily in the guide direction without activating the fixing device, so that the required distance can be manually adjusted and the belt tensioning unit can then be fixed, thereby fixing the distance to the rotor axis. The required distance and thus the belt tension can be adjusted better by the adjusting device (possibly within a predetermined tolerance range). Depending on the actuation of the adjusting device, the distance of the planet carrier from the rotor axis can be changed.

[0027] A particularly simple embodiment of such an adjustment device has an adjusting screw, wherein the screw-in angle of the adjusting screw predetermines the distance between the planet carrier and the rotor axis. The adjusting screw converts the adjustment angle caused by the operator into an axial adjustment movement of the planet carrier, thus enabling a sensitive conversion adjustment. In some cases, the adjusting screw can also be manipulated with a torque wrench to a preset torque that is related to the desired belt tension.

[0028] In principle, the fixing of the adjusting device can be carried out in any manner. In one embodiment of the present invention, the setting position of the adjusting screw of the adjusting device can be fixed by a locking nut, thereby achieving additional or special fixing.

[0029] During operation of a flow-through centrifuge, in some cases not only belt tension forces but also speed-dependent centrifugal forces may act on the planet carrier and thus on the belt tensioning unit, which centrifugal forces tend to move the planet carrier and the components held thereon, in particular the planetary belt pulleys, outwardly away from the rotor axis. In this case, it is advantageous if (in some cases in addition to other fastening and / or fixing measures) a stop is provided which specifies the maximum distance of the planet carrier from the rotor axis. If the stop is adjustable, the belt tension can be specified in a first assembly step (for example by operating an adjustment device), wherein the stop is moved outwardly for adjustment so that it does not interact with the planet carrier. However, if the belt tension is adjusted (and in some cases the belt tensioning unit is fixed in another way), the stop is moved radially inwardly in the direction of the rotor axis to such an extent that it acts and thus (directly or indirectly) bears against the planet carrier, so that a radial outward movement of the planet carrier is blocked by the stop. The stop can then be fixed in this position by a locking mechanism, a locking pin, a clamping screw or a locking device such as LOCTITE (registered trademark). If, during operation of the laboratory centrifuge, centrifugal forces act on the planet carrier and the components held thereon, the centrifugal forces can (additionally) be supported against the stop.

[0030] In certain cases, the use of the degrees of freedom to adjust the distance between the planet carrier and the rotor axis may lead to a change in the balance of the compensating body, depending on the set distance. According to the invention, at least one compensating block can be arranged on the compensating body in a flow-through centrifuge. The distance of the at least one compensating block from the rotor axis and / or its mass depends on the operating position of the belt tensioning unit, in particular the distance of the planet carrier from the rotor axis. Once the desired belt tension has been achieved by actuating the belt tensioning unit in the manner explained above and the belt tensioning unit has been fixed, the compensating body can be balanced in a next assembly step, wherein the imbalance caused by the operating position of the belt tensioning unit is compensated by the at least one compensating block.

[0031] Another solution to the basic object of the invention is a method by which an operational readiness of a flow-through centrifuge as described above is achieved. In this case, the distance between the planet carrier and the rotor axis is changed by means of a belt tensioning unit, in particular its adjusting device, until a predetermined tension is achieved in the belt. This can be achieved, for example, gradually by gradually displacing the planet carrier in the radial direction and subsequently measuring the belt tension, or the belt tension can already be measured during the distance change or during the actuation of the adjusting device.

[0032] In principle, all known measuring devices can be used to measure the belt tension. In one possible embodiment, the method of the invention uses a measuring device in which the belt is vibrated, for example by shocks, and the belt tension is determined from the frequency of the instantaneous vibration of the belt.

[0033] In another embodiment of the method, after changing the distance between the planet carrier and the rotor axis to adjust the predetermined belt tension, the mass of at least one compensation block for balancing is selected and / or the distance between the compensation block and the rotor axis is selected or changed depending on the operating position of the belt tensioning unit and the radial position of the planet carrier achieved thereby.

[0034] Further advantageous developments of the invention are apparent from the claims, the description and the drawings.

[0035] The advantages of the features and combinations of several features mentioned in the specification are merely exemplary and may be effective alternatively or cumulatively, but these advantages do not necessarily have to be achieved by the embodiments according to the present invention.

[0036] With regard to the disclosure of the original application documents and the patent (but not the scope of protection), the following applies: Further features can be taken from the drawings - in particular the geometric shapes shown in the drawings and the relative dimensions between the several components as well as their relative arrangement and functional connection. Combinations of features from different embodiments of the invention or features from different claims are also possible, which may deviate from the reference relationships selected in the claims and are hereby disclosed. This also applies to features shown in separate drawings or mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features from different claims. Similarly, in further embodiments of the invention, the features listed in the claims can also be omitted, but this does not apply to authorized independent claims.

[0037] The features mentioned in the claims and the description are to be understood in terms of their quantity to mean exactly that number or more than the number mentioned, without the explicit use of the adverb "at least". Thus, for example, when one element is mentioned, it is to be understood that there is exactly one element, two elements or more. The features listed in the claims may be supplemented by other features or may be the only features possessed by the subject matter of the respective claim.

[0038] The reference numerals in the claims do not limit the scope of the objects protected by the claims. They are only used to make the claims easier to understand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The present invention will be further explained and illustrated below with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 A longitudinal section through a flow-through centrifuge along the rotor axis is shown schematically.

[0041] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A spatial partial section through a flow-through centrifuge is shown.

[0042] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 and Figure 2 A partial section through a flow-through centrifuge along the axis of rotation and a partial section through a planet carrier with associated belt tensioning unit are shown.

[0043] Figure 4 A planet carrier is shown as a subassembly, which has planetary belt pulleys mounted thereon and connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0044] Figure 5 Showing the planet carrier and Figure 4 VV section through planetary belt pulleys which are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0045] Figure 6 Shown in Figures 1 to 5 In the flow-through centrifuge shown, the planet carrier is connected to the compensating body via a belt tensioning unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In the figures, geometrically and / or functionally corresponding or similar components or features are partially marked with the same reference numerals, wherein these components or features can be distinguished from each other by additional letters a, b, ... In some cases, no additional letters are used when referring to these components, but only one or both components are mentioned.

[0047] Figure 1 A flow-through centrifuge 1 is shown, which is designed as a blood centrifuge 2 , for example.

[0048] The flow-through centrifuge 1 has a rotor 3 which rotates at a first rotational speed n1 about a rotor axis 4. The rotor 3 has a plurality of centrifuge chambers 5 which are evenly distributed over the circumference and are arranged at equal distances from the rotor axis 4.

[0049] The flow-through centrifuge 1 has a connection bundle 6 which is only Figure 1 The connecting bundle 6 has at least one supply line 7 and at least one discharge line 8, through which, as described at the outset, a medium exchange with the centrifuge chamber 5 can take place.

[0050] The connecting strand 6 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a stationary housing 10 of the flow-through centrifuge 1 in one end region 9. The other end region 11 of the connecting strand 6 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the rotor 3. Therefore, during operation of the flow-through centrifuge 1, the end region 11 of the connecting strand 6 rotates at a first rotational speed n1 relative to the end region 9 of the connecting strand 6. The end regions 9, 11 are arranged coaxially with respect to the rotor axis 4 and point in the same direction.

[0051] Here, the connecting bundle guiding device 12 is designed as a guiding tube 13. The connecting bundle 6 extends through the connecting bundle guiding device 12. With the help of the connecting bundle guiding device 12, the connecting bundle 6 is guided from the first side (at the Figure 1 The first side corresponds to the side on which the end region 9 of the connecting bundle 6 is fixed to the housing 10) and is guided radially outside the rotor 3 around the rotor 3 to the second side of the rotor 3 (at Figure 1 The connecting bundle guide 12 rotates at a second rotation speed n2. As explained at the beginning and described in the prior art cited at the beginning, in order to avoid increasing the twist of the connecting bundle 6 with the twisting of the rotor 3, the second rotation speed n2 is half of the first rotation speed n1. Figure 1 The shape of the bundle guide 12 is only indicated in principle, and may deviate from the geometric shape shown in the figure in practice. The end of the end region 14 of the bundle guide 12 adjacent to the rotor 3 is directly adjacent to the inlet of the bundle 6 into the rotor 3 while allowing the required relative movement.

[0052] The connecting bundle guide 12, in particular the guide tube 13, is a component of a compensating rotor 15, which can be designed as a compensating roller. The compensating rotor 15 is a structural unit in which, during the operation of the fluid centrifuge 1, the connecting bundle guide 12 is fixedly mounted together with a compensating body 16, and a planet carrier 18 is fixed to the compensating body 16 via a belt tensioning unit 17 in a manner described in detail below. The entire compensating rotor 15 rotates at a second speed n2.

[0053] The drive and / or transmission assembly 19 ensures that the rotor 3 is driven at a first rotational speed n1 and the compensating rotor 15 is driven at a second rotational speed n2. In the illustrated embodiment, this is ensured by a common drive motor 20, which, however, is not mandatory, drives the rotor 3 on the one hand and the compensating rotor 15 on the other hand via its output shaft via two parallel drive branches with different transmission ratios.

[0054] In the embodiment shown, a transmission 21 is connected between the drive motor 20 and the rotor 3 and the compensating rotor 15 and has a drive branch, which is designed as a gear without intermeshing. Instead, only a belt drive is used here, which is preferably designed as a toothed belt drive.

[0055] First, the drive in the second drive path is introduced, in which the compensating rotor 15 is driven at a second rotational speed n2. In the second drive path, the drive shaft of the drive motor 20 drives a drive pulley 22, and the drive pulley drives an input pulley 24 through a belt 23. The diameter of the input pulley 24 is twice the diameter of the drive pulley 22. If the drive motor 20 is driven at a first rotational speed n1, the rotational speed of the input pulley 24 is half of the second rotational speed n2. The input pulley 24 is fixedly connected to an input shaft 25, which extends to the interior of the compensating rotor 15. The input shaft 25 has a flange 26 in the inner end region, and the input shaft 25 is fixedly connected to the compensating body 16 of the compensating rotor 15 in the region of the flange.

[0056] Therefore, the driving movement of the drive motor 20 in the second driving path is transmitted through the drive shaft of the motor 20, the drive pulley 22, the belt 23, the input pulley 24, the input shaft 25, the flange 26 and the compensating body 16 of the compensating rotor 15, so that it rotates at the second speed n2.

[0057] The compensating body 16 preferably has a carrier body 27 which is approximately disk-shaped and has recesses 48 in the circumferential region for receiving the belt tensioning unit 17 and the planet carrier 18 and which is held on the flange 26 .

[0058] In a first drive path, the drive shaft of the drive motor 20 drives a drive pulley 28, the diameter of which is twice the diameter of the drive pulley 22. The drive pulley 28 drives an input pulley 30 via a belt 29. The diameter of the input pulley 30 preferably corresponds to the diameter of the input pulley 24 and is twice the diameter of the drive pulley 28. The rotational movement of the input pulley 30 is rigidly transmitted to the sun pulley 32 via the hollow shaft 31. The input shaft 25 is guided through the input pulley 30, the hollow shaft 31 and the sun pulley 32 in such a way that the desired relative movement is achieved.

[0059] The rotational movement of the sun pulley 32 is transmitted to the planetary pulley 34 via the belt 33. The planetary pulley 34 is fixedly connected to the planetary shaft 35, which in turn is fixedly connected to the planetary pulley 36. The diameters of the planetary pulleys 34 and 36 are the same. The planetary pulley 36 drives the sun pulley 38 via the belt 37. The sun pulley 38 is preferably replaceable, but is fixedly connected to the rotor 3 during the operation of the flow-through centrifuge 1, which is achieved in the illustrated embodiment by arranging a hollow shaft 39 in the middle.

[0060] The connecting strand guide 12 and the connecting strand 6 arranged therein are guided through the bore of the sun belt pulley 38 and the hollow shaft 39 so that the required relative movement is achieved.

[0061] The planet shaft 35 is rotatably supported relative to the planet carrier 18 via a bearing assembly 40. During operation of the flow-through centrifuge 1, the planet carrier 18 is fixedly held on the compensating body 16 or the carrier 17 via the belt tensioning unit 17. Therefore, the planet shaft 35 rotates together with the compensating rotor 15 about the rotor axis 4 at a second rotational speed.

[0062] The input pulley 24 , the input pulley 30 , the hollow shaft 31 , the sun pulley 32 , the sun pulley 38 , and the hollow shaft 39 are arranged coaxially with the rotor axis 4 , and rotate around the rotor axis 4 .

[0063] Thus, in the first drive path, the force flow is from the drive shaft of the motor 20 via the drive pulley 28, the belt 29, the input pulley 30, the sun pulley 32, the belt 33, the planetary shaft 35, the planetary pulley 36, the belt 37 and the sun pulley 39 to the rotor 3. Figure 1 The force flow for the first drive path is shown in FIG. 1 by means of arrows.

[0064] The first drive path and the second drive path are coupled to each other via the planetary gear 62 .

[0065] The planet shafts 35 and the axes of rotation 41 of the planetary belt pulleys 34 , 36 are at a distance 42 from the axis of rotation 4 .

[0066] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the belt tensioning unit 17, the planet carrier 16, the bearing assembly 40 and the planetary pulleys 34 and 36 with the planetary shafts 35 are located at the 12 o'clock position, while Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the case of Figure 6 In FIG. 4 , these components are located at the 3 o'clock position, since the compensating rotor 15 rotates at a second rotational speed about the rotor axis 4 in a different operating position.

[0067] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3In FIG. 1 , only a part of the flow-through centrifuge 1 is shown, in particular the rotor 3 and the drive pulleys 22 , 28 are not shown.

[0068] The function of the belt tensioning unit 17 and the required belt tension for ensuring the belts 33, 37 will be described in more detail below:

[0069] The design of the belt tensioning unit 17 and its operative connection to the compensating body 16 or the carrier 27 on the one hand and to the planet carrier 18 on the other hand can be Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 Best seen in.

[0070] The planet carrier 18 comprises a bearing sleeve 43 in which the planet shaft 35 with the planetary belt pulleys 34, 36 is rotatably supported via a bearing assembly 40, here for example two ball bearings. The planet carrier 18 has a continuation or web 44 extending transversely to the axis of rotation 41. In the end region facing away from the axis of rotation 41, the web 44 has guide grooves 45a, 45b, which are designed as guide holes 46a, 46b here. Between the guide grooves 45a, 45b and the bearing sleeve 43, the web 44 has threaded holes 47a, 47b. The guide holes 46 and the threaded holes 47 are oriented parallel to each other and have a longitudinal axis, which extends radially through the axis of rotation 41 relative to the rotor axis 4.

[0071] The compensating body 16 has a groove 48 in which the belt tensioning unit 17, the planet carrier 18, the bearing assembly 40 and the planet shaft 35 with the planetary belt pulleys 34, 36 are mounted. In this case, guide rods 49a and 49b extend through the groove 48 and the guide grooves 45a, 45b of the planet carrier 18. In this way, a linear guide 50 is formed, by means of which the planet carrier 18 is guided through the rotation axis 41 in a radial direction with respect to the rotor axis 4. Movement along the linear guide 50 results in a change in the distance 42.

[0072] In the embodiment shown, the guide rods 49a, 49b each have a cylindrical section 51a, 51b and a threaded section 52a, 52b. The threaded section 52 is arranged in the radially outer end region of the guide rod 49 and is screwed to the compensating body 16. In contrast, the end region of the cylindrical section 51 is received in the blind hole-centering hole of the compensating body 17. The planet carrier 18 is guided by the cylindrical section 51 between the threaded section 52 and the above-mentioned end region of the cylindrical section 51, thereby forming a linear guide device 50.

[0073] To form the adjustment device 53, the adjusting screws 54a and 54b are guided through the holes of the compensating body 16 without threaded engagement until the head 55 of the adjusting screw 54 rests on the outside of the compensating body 16. The threaded sections 56a, 56b that extend into the groove 48 are screwed into the associated threaded holes 47a, 47b of the planet carrier 16, respectively. By varying the screw-in angle of the adjusting screw 54, the distance 42 can be varied continuously, wherein a transmission ratio of the rotation angle of the adjusting screw 54 to the change in the distance 42 is achieved depending on the pitch of the threaded sections 56a, 56b. Once the desired position of the planet carrier 18 and thus the belt tension of the belts 33, 37 is achieved, the position of the planet carrier 18 can be fixed by tightening the lock nuts 57a, 57b.

[0074] Optionally, in order to additionally support the centrifugal forces acting radially outward on the planet carrier 18, a stop 58 can be provided, the distance of which from the rotor axis 4 can be adjusted according to the adjustment of the position of the planet carrier 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop 58 is formed by a stop screw 59, the end of which has a stop disk 60 with a large surface area. Here, the threaded section 61 of the stop screw 59 is screwed into the threaded hole of the balancing body 16. By changing the screw-in angle of the stop screw 59 into the compensation body 16, the distance of the stop disk 60 from the rotor axis 4 (and thus the distance of the planet carrier 18 from the rotor axis 4, on which the stop 58 acts) can be adjusted. Preferably, the screw-in angle of the stop screw 59 is additionally fixed, in particular by using LOCTITE (registered trademark).

[0075] according to Figure 6 , two adjusting devices 53a, 53b are used, each having an adjusting screw 54a, 54b. Preferably, the adjusting screws 54a, 54b are gradually partially tightened in small amounts each time to achieve uniform tightening without skewing. The adjusting screws 54a, 54b can be tightened with the aid of a torque wrench.

[0076] A planetary gear 62 is formed through which the two drive paths extend by means of the sun pulleys 32, 38, the planetary pulleys 34, 36, the coupled planetary shafts 35 and the planet carrier 18 supporting the planetary pulleys 34, 36, and the compensating rotor 15. The two elements of the planetary gear 62 are driven at different speeds, on the one hand, the compensating rotor 15 with the planet carrier 18 held on the compensating body 16 and on the other hand, the sun pulley 32 arranged on the input side, while the output of the planetary gear 62 is formed by the sun pulley 38 on the output side.

[0077] In the present application text, the required transmission ratio is ensured according to the diameter of the pulley. Strictly speaking, the transmission ratio should be ensured according to the corresponding tooth ratio of the pulley (here 1:1, 2:1 or 1:2), which may lead to slight deviations in the diameter ratio.

[0078] List of reference numerals:

[0079] 1Flow-through centrifuge

[0080] 2 Blood centrifuge

[0081] 3 rotors

[0082] 4 Rotor axis

[0083] 5 Centrifugal chamber

[0084] 6 Connection bundle

[0085] 7 Supply pipeline

[0086] 8. Discharge pipe

[0087] 9 End region

[0088] 10 Shell

[0089] 11 End area

[0090] 12 Connection bundle guide

[0091] 13 Guide tube

[0092] 14 End area

[0093] 15 Compensation rotor

[0094] 16 Compensation body

[0095] 17 Belt tensioning unit

[0096] 18 Planet carrier

[0097] 19 Drive and / or transmission components

[0098] 20 Drive Motor

[0099] 21 Transmission

[0100] 22 Drive pulley

[0101] 23 Belt

[0102] 24 Input pulley

[0103] 25 Input shaft

[0104] 26 Flange

[0105] 27 Carrier

[0106] 28 Drive pulley

[0107] 29 Belt

[0108] 30 Input pulley

[0109] 31 Hollow shaft

[0110] 32 Sun pulley

[0111] 33 Belt

[0112] 34 Planetary pulley

[0113] 35 Planetary shaft

[0114] 36 Planetary pulley

[0115] 37 Belt

[0116] 38 Sun pulley

[0117] 39 Hollow shaft

[0118] 40 Support assembly

[0119] 41 Rotation axis

[0120] 42 Distance

[0121] 43 Support sleeve

[0122] 44 Continuation, web

[0123] 45 Guide groove

[0124] 46 Guide hole

[0125] 47 threaded holes

[0126] 48 grooves

[0127] 49 Guide rod

[0128] 50 Linear guides

[0129] 51 Cylindrical Segment

[0130] 52 thread segment

[0131] 53 Adjustment device

[0132] 54 Adjustment screw

[0133] 55 heads

[0134] 56 thread segment

[0135] 57 Lock nut

[0136] 58 Stop

[0137] 59 Stop screw

[0138] 60 Stop plate

[0139] 61 Threaded section

[0140] 62 Planetary gear.

Claims

1. A flow-through centrifuge (1), comprising a drive and / or transmission assembly (19) with a planetary transmission (62), wherein at least one planetary belt pulley (34; 36) is rotatably supported on a rotating planet carrier (18), the torque of the planetary belt pulley (34; 36) being transmitted via a belt (33; 37), and the planet carrier (18) and the planetary belt pulley (34; 36) being driven at different speeds, characterized in that The planet carrier (18) is held by a belt tensioning unit (17) which rotates with the planet carrier (18), wherein the distance (42) of the planet carrier (18) from the rotor axis (4) can be varied by means of the belt tensioning unit (17).

2. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that Two planetary belt wheels (34, 36) connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner are rotatably supported on the planet carrier (18), and the distance between the two planetary belt wheels (34, 36) can be jointly varied by the belt tensioning unit (17).

3. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a) a rotor (3) which rotates at a first speed about a rotor axis (4) for centrifugation and to which a medium is supplied during centrifugation and / or from which a medium is discharged during centrifugation; b) a connecting strand (6) which is held in one end region (9) on a stationary housing (10) of a flow-through centrifuge (1) and in another end region (11) on a rotor (3) so that the two end regions (9, 11) rotate relative to one another at a first rotational speed, wherein the two end regions (9, 11) are arranged coaxially with a rotor axis (4) of the rotor (3), and the connecting strand (6) is used to supply a medium to the rotor (3) and / or to discharge a medium from the rotor (3), c) a bundle guide (12), through which the bundle (6) extends, which bundle guide can be rotated about the rotor axis (4) at a second rotational speed and by means of which the bundle (6) is guided radially outwardly through the rotor (3), d) wherein the drive and / or transmission assembly (19) is designed such that a first rotational speed of the rotor (3) is twice a second rotational speed of the bundle guiding device (12), and e) The planetary transmission device (62) has: ea) a first sun pulley (32) and a second sun pulley (38); and eb) a first planetary pulley (34) and a second planetary pulley (36) which are connected to each other in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the first sun pulley (32) is in driving connection with the first planetary pulley (34) via a first belt (33) and the second planetary pulley (36) is in driving connection with the second sun pulley (38) via a second belt (37), f) The first sun pulley (32) is driven at a first speed, the planet carrier (18) is driven at a second speed, the second sun pulley (38) drives the rotor (3), and the planet carrier (18) is rotated together with the connecting bundle guide device (12).

4. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The belt tensioning unit (17) has at least one linear guide (50) by which the planet carrier (18) is guided relative to the connecting beam guide (12) and / or the compensating body (16) of the compensating rotor (15).

5. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The linear guide device (50) has a guide rod (49) guided in a guide groove (45).

6. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The belt tensioning unit (17) has an adjusting device (53) by means of which the distance (42) between the planet carrier (18) and the rotor axis (4) can be varied.

7. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The adjusting device (53) has an adjusting screw (54).

8. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The set position of the adjusting screw (53) can be fixed by a locking nut (57).

9. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A stop (58) is provided which predetermines the maximum distance of the planet carrier (18) from the rotor axis (4).

10. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The stop (58) is adjustable.

11. The flow-through centrifuge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one compensating block is arranged on the compensating body (16), the distance of the compensating block from the rotor axis (4) and / or the mass of the compensating block being related to the operating position of the belt tensioning unit (17).

12. A method for achieving operational readiness of a flow-through centrifuge (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The distance (42) between the planet carrier (18) and the rotor axis (4) is varied by means of a belt tensioning unit (17) until a predetermined belt tension is achieved in the belt (32; 37).

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that After changing the distance (42) of the planet carrier (18) from the rotor axis (4), balancing is performed, wherein the distance (42) of at least one compensation mass used for balancing from the rotor axis (4) and / or the mass are dependent on the operating position of the belt tensioning unit (17).

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